New York Knicks: 15 Key Questions Facing Carmelo Anthony and Co.
The Knicks season may be over, but the journey toward becoming a contender is just beginning.
Carmelo Anthony and company entered the playoffs with a lot of unanswered questions. And as we head into the offseason and the preparation for next season begins, the number of question marks has only grown.
While Donnie Walsh's and Chauncey Billups' contract situations have been resolved, New York's work is far from done. There is still much to be determined and many improvements to be made.
What is the backup point guard situation?
Is Amar'e Stoudemire's back injury going to plague him next season?
Can Chauncey Billups stay healthy?
Who will be the Knicks center?
The aforementioned questions are just some of the issues facing the Knicks. In order to become a legitimate championship contender, New York needs to address their major areas of need and answer the major these major questions surrounding them.
With that in mind, let's take a look at the 15 most key questions facing the Knicks as they begin to prepare for next season.
No. 15: Can the Knicks Finally Learn to Close out Games?
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This is not a question of whether the Knicks are title contenders, rather that is a question for a whole other slide.
No, this is a question of whether the Knicks are poised to improve upon their performance this year and reach the 50-win milestone as Anthony claims they can.
The Knicks could be title contenders without winning 50 games, they just have to go on a Cinderella-story playoff run.
So, do we see the Knicks winning 50 games?
It's hard to tell. At times during the regular season, the Knicks looked like a team that could win upwards of 50 games, but at other times, they played at a level lower than that of the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Many factors weigh into the answer to this question, but none more important than the Knicks ability to close out games.
Too many times this season they watched a double-digit lead disappear in the fourth quarter. If they had been able to close out those games, they may have had a chance at winning 50 games.
Until the Knicks prove that they can close out games, that 50-win mark is out of reach. Anthony seems to believe the Knicks are at that point, or will be at that point by next season, but we cannot know for sure.
New York's inconsistencies are not easily forgotten, so while fans are eager for the Knicks to become closers, they proceed with caution, knowing what the Knicks are capable, or rather at times, incapable of.
As next season approaches and its stories unfold, it will be interesting to see if the Knicks can learn the art of closing out games or if they will return to their old and infamous ways.
No. 14: Can Chauncey Billups Stay Healthy?
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Although the Knicks were swept in the playoffs by the Boston Celtics, many believe that ad Chauncey Billups have been healthy, New York would have put up more of a fight.
Billups left in the fourth quarter of Game 1 with a knee injury and sat out the rest of the series. As the key facilitator of the Knicks offense, Billups' absence put the Knicks at a major disadvantage.
In order for New York to reach championship caliber, they need Billups to stay healthy.
Why?
Not only is Billups the key facilitator of New York's offense, but he is also tasked with ensuring that Amar'e Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony can play together. He is the one that must evenly distribute the ball amongst the two stars and he is the one who needs to keep both of them in check.
Billups is a veteran that is capable of handling such a situation, which is why the Knicks value him so much. Additionally, he is a proven winner and clutch performer, making him essential to any success New York wishes to experience.
If he is unable to stay healthy though, the Knicks do not have anyone to turn to who can manage an offense with two superstars. Billups may be old, but when healthy, he has plenty of fight in him.
However, his overall health is a mystery. He sat out on multiple occasions with an array of injuries during his short stint with the Knicks this season.
So while Billups' experience is key to the Knicks potential success, his questionable health is what effects the Knicks most and is one of the key issues facing New York looking ahead to next season.
No. 13: Is Toney Douglas the Answer at Backup Point Guard?
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Toney Douglas was a question mark heading into this past season as well.
The general consensus was that he was an undersized shooting guard rather than a true point guard. His ability to run the offense effectively was doubted by almost everyone.
Douglas averaged 10.6 points and three assists in about 25 minutes per game during the regular season, and he simply flourished after the Carmelo Anthony trade.
When Billups was taking a breather, there were times that Douglas showed he was fully capable of orchestrating New York's offense. He exhibited the ability to find the open man as well as taking advantage in a lapse of the opposition's defense by driving the ball for an easy two.
However, there were also times where Douglas' inexperience was clear. He had difficulty trying to balance the offense between Amar'e Stoudemire and Anthony, and he often struggled at against veteran point guards such as Rajon Rondo.
The biggest upside to Douglas though is that he is coming off only his second season in the league and has the potential to develop his game even further. He is a strong defender and one of the biggest three-point threats in the league, which is why the Knicks will continue to look to him as the backup point guard.
New York needs Douglas to improve though. They need someone who can effectively direct the offense when Billups is on the bench, and considering the mysterious nature of Billups' health, the Knicks need Douglas to be prepared to be the starter on any given night.
The Knicks are hoping that Douglas gained all the necessary experience this season to become a strong and consistent point guard for next year.
Until next season though, Douglas' ability to be a floor general remains one of the biggest uncertainties facing the Knicks.
No. 12: Is Amar'e Stoudemire's Back a Major Concern?
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When the Knicks inked Amar'e Stoudemire to his $100 million contract, his health was a major issue.
However, during the regular season, Stoudemire proved to be as healthy as anyone. During the regular season he averaged 25.3 points and 8.2 rebounds in nearly 37 minutes a game. He missed only one game due to injury and was alleviating any concerns the New York organization had.
In Game 2 of the playoff series against the Celtics though, Stoudemire left before the end of the first half with bask spasms and never returned. While he would play in Game 3 and 4, his productivity was limited by the nagging injury.
Both the Knicks front office and Stoudemire himself assure fans that this injury is only minor and that he will fully recover in a couple of weeks. However, Stoudemire's health is definitely a question mark.
In his absence, the Knicks struggled. They fought hard in Game 2 to keep it competitive, but in Game 3 and 4, with Stoudemire limited, New York proved how much they needed Stoudemire to be at full strength.
If Stoudemire is unable to fully recover from this "minor" injury, it is more than bad news for the Knicks. Carmelo Anthony cannot carry the team on his own. New York needs the fire and aggression that Stoudemire brings to the floor every night.
So while fans may take solace in the nature of Stat's diagnosis, given his prior history with injury problems, his health is definitely a major concern for the Knicks as they prepare for next season.
No. 11: Can Carmelo Anthony and Amar'e Stoudemire Continue to Play Cohesively?
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Amar'e Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony began to develop some type of chemistry as the Knicks season came to a close, but it is uncertain as to whether it will continue to grow.
The idea behind brings in Anthony was that it would give Stoudemire another superstar to play off of and relieve the scoring burden. Early on it was clear the two struggled. Stoudemire did not know when to clear out and let Anthony go one on one, and they never ran the pick and roll.
Anthony and Stoudemire still need to run the pick and roll more, but they did become more accustom to playing along side one another as the season progressed. Stoudemire became more familiar with Anthony's offensive habits and vice versa.
It is of the utmost importance that these two continue to develop chemistry because as of right now, they are the only true superstars this team has and are the backbone of any success they will experience.
Both Stoudemire and Anthony know what is at stake and will work extra hard at this offseason at continuing to develop chemistry, but nothing is guaranteed.
At times, these two look like they were made to play together, while at others, they do not look like such a terrific tandem.
Stoudemire and Anthony's cohesiveness is still a question mark and definitely something to keep an eye on moving forward.
No. 10: Who Is the True Leader of This Knicks Team?
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With the arrival of Carmelo Anthony, the question of whose team, Amar'e Stoudemire's or Anthony's, arises.
This is not the same question as to whether these two can play together long term, rather which one means more to the team.
Stoudemire led the resurgence of the Knicks before Anthony arrived. He was the Knicks energetic backbone and an MVP candidate early on in the season.
Anthony on the other hand may not have been in orange and blue as long, but was a Knick at heart for just as long as Stoudemire. He shared an emotional attachment with the New York fans that was not present in the crowd's courtship of LeBron James the previous two seasons.
Some may argue that this is Stoudemire's team because he was here first. Others may argue that it is Anthony's team because of how the numerous clutch performances, like the one in Game 2 of the first round of this year's playoffs.
Regardless of who we may believe is the most important player on this team, there is no certain answer at this point.
Both stars may claim that there is enough spotlight in New York to go around, and there definitely is, but it will definitely be interesting to see who emerges as the face of this franchise going forward.
No. 9: Who Will Be the Knicks Starting Center?
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The starting center position for New York is one of their biggest question marks heading into the offseason.
During the course of this past regular season, they tried many different things at the five. Most of the time, Amar'e Stoudemire was the starting center. On other occasions though, coach Mike D'Antoni inserted Ronny Turiaf, Shelden Williams and Jared Jeffries into the starting lineup.
Many believe that the Knicks cannot become legitimate contenders without a true center. Stoudemire even expressed his desire to move back to his natural power forward position.
No one knows how the Knicks are going to resolve this conflict. Both the Knicks and their fans dream of having restricted free-agent Marc Gasol manning the center position, but New York does not have the cap room to obtain him.
Turiaf's energy and exceptional defense proved to be effective at center, but he is better at coming off the bench. Both Jeffries and Williams, though great defenders, do not seem to be the answer at center either.
D'Antoni made it publicly known that he prefers Stoudemire at center because he is quicker than every other person in the league at the position, giving the Knicks an offensive advantage. He is actually attempting to bring back Wilson Chandler to play the 4 and keep Stoudemire at the 5.
Regardless of how the Knicks resolve this issue, an answer needs to be found, and quickly. While some of the Knicks woes at the position stem from their lack of size, a majority of it comes from the inconsistent play.
A team cannot go in each night with a question mark at any given position. They need continuity. Experimenting is okay in the beginning, but down the road, having the 6'9" Shawne Williams playing center is not going to win you any championships.
New York needs an answer to their needs at center. It cannot continue to be a constant question mark if they wish to become legitimate title contenders, making it one of the key issues facing the Knicks as they enter the offseason.
No. 8: Can Landry Fields Regain His Confidence?
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Landry Fields was a surprise for the Knicks coming into this past season.
Drafted in the second round, no one expected him to make a difference, or even get any significant minutes.
However, Fields emerged as the starting shooting guard and played extremely well. He averaged nearly 10 points and over six rebounds per game during the regular season and proved to be a draft-day steal.
Toward the end of the regular season and for all of the playoffs, Fields' production began to tailor off. He averaged only 1.8 points in four playoff games.
Some attribute Fields' struggles to not being able to play with Carmelo Anthony, while others believe that he simply hit the rookie wall. Regardless of which it is, Fields is a player to watch heading into next season.
The Knicks desperately need him to be productive. When teams double Amar'e Stoudemire and Anthony, he is going to be left open, and the Knicks need him to knock down shots.
Fields is an exceptional rebounder and defender, but as we saw over the past two moths, his confidence is wavering. One of his biggest upsides was his ability to play the game with a veteran mindset, and there is serious doubt as to whether he can regain that mindset.
After Ray Allen torched the Knicks in the playoffs, critics began calling for a change at the shooting guard position. Fields is young though, and New York is not ready to give up on him yet. Barring a blockbuster trade to bring another superstar to the Big Apple, Fields will be a Knick heading into next season.
So while Fields' work ethic is unquestionable, his confidence is. His ability to return to his former self is of the utmost importance to the Knicks and a major issue as we look ahead to next season.
No. 7: Will Carmelo Anthony Become Fully Acclimated into Knicks System?
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Carmelo Anthony exhibited major signs of improving within New York's system as the season came to a close, but it is questionable as to whether he can become fully acclimated to it.
During his short time with the Knicks in the regular season, he averaged 26.3 points and 6.7 rebounds per game. In short, his usual offensive dominance remained in tact.
However, Anthony struggled with finding his place in the seven seconds or less system. Coming out of Denver, he was used to being an iso-oriented player as opposed to constantly keeping the ball moving.
Anthony's unfamiliarity with the system effected the entire team as the Knicks went on multiple losing streaks when he arrived. By the end of the season though, Anthony seemed to have finally found his groove within the system.
He was not slowing down the ball movement on offense, rather he was making quicker decisions on whether to pass, shoot, or drive the lane. When he became more comfortable, the team became more comfortable, and more effective.
And what does this show?
It shows that the Knicks success is directly related to Anthony's performance within this system. When he struggled, the team struggled, but when he found a comfort zone, so did the rest of the team.
Many may feel that this is not even a question because of Anthony's end of season improvement, but it is not a given that he will become fully acclimated by next season.
Anthony is used to creating all by himself on the offensive end. He did it for nearly a decade in Denver, and while he has the potential to fully adapt to this new system, it is not a given that he will.
And given that his success is directly related to the success of the entire team, his ability to fully assimilate into this system is a key question heading into next season.
No. 6: Can the Knicks Get Their Defensive Act Together?
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New York struggled defensively all season long.
If the Knicks had been able to scrounge together even a mediocre defensive performance all season, they would have been much higher in the standings. The Knicks allowed the third most points per game in the league at nearly 106.
Players like Toney Douglas and Landry Fields were solid and consistent defenders, even Turiaf and Stoudemire provided some defensive punch, but New York rarely seemed to put together a team defensive effort.
The good news for the Knicks on defense is that it is not a question of ability, rather willingness. New York has proved that they have the potential to play great defense, they just need to do it on a consistent basis.
Players like Chauncey Billups and Carmelo Anthony, who can be great defenders, need to find defensive desire within themselves. This is especially true for Anthony who will be tasked with guarding some of the most prolific guys in the game, like LeBron James and Paul Pierce, night in and night out.
New York needs its strong offensive players to play defense. They cannot sacrifice production on the offensive end by having guys like Jared Jeffries and Shelden Williams on the court all game long.
Although the Knicks were swept by the Celtics in the first round, they played strong defense the first two games to keep them in it. It may not have been strong enough, but it was a step in the right direction.
However, the team seemed to regress back to its old ways in the final two games and played terrible defense.
The Knicks have a great offense, but they cannot allow themselves to believe they can win every night by just playing offense. They need to get into a defensive mindset.
Many are inclined to blame Mike D'Antoni, but the truth is that he does stress defense. It's just that the players tend to believe that with their offensive firepower, there is no need to focus on defense.
This needs to change.
New York is capable of playing great defense, but their willingness to is questionable and definitely something to keep our eyes on as we look ahead to next year.
No. 5: Is Mike D'Antoni's Job on the Line?
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Many are calling for Mike D'Antoni's job after the Knicks were swept by the Celtics in the first round.
While it is unlikely that D'Antoni is fired before next season, his status is a question mark, especially if the NBA avoids a lockout.
If there is a shortened season because of the lockout, it is unlikely any decision regarding D'Antoni will be made. However, if there is a full season, and the Knicks get off to a poor start or do not meet expectations, an in-season decision might be made.
The general belief is that D'Antoni, entering the last year of his contract, has next season to prove to the franchise and the basketball world that he is pushing this team in the right direction. But there is still a possibility of the front office getting frustrated mid-season and making a change.
It will be interesting to see how the Knicks perform under yet another contractual distraction.
Is' D'Antoni going to get an extension?
Is his job on the line?
Will the players perform to save his job?
Is D'Antoni the right coach to lead this team?
There is so much controversy surrounding this situation already that it is almost a sure thing it will become some type of a distraction next season.
And it will be interesting to see if an answer is provided and how the Knicks will fair under such circumstances.
No. 4: What Additions Are the Knicks Going to Make in the Offseason
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When New York picked up the option on Chauncey Billups' contract, they limited themselves in terms of what roster additions they can make cap wise.
While Knicks fans may long to see Marc Gasol in orange and blue, New York does not have nearly enough cap room to lure him away from Memphis. If they want help at center they will have to look elsewhere.
Tyson Chandler isn't a viable option either. Too expensive. There have been some rumors about bringing back Jerome James, but given how his first stint in New York went that is unlikely.
Solid and affordable centers are hard to come by, and it seems there isn't much of a chance of the Knicks making any major acquisition at that position.
There is some general chatter that the Knicks are interested in bringing back Wilson Chandler, but it is uncertain whether they have the resources to do so.
If the mid-level exception is still existent in the new CBA that remains a possibility. It was thought earlier in the season that Chandler could command $10 million a year, but his production slipped after the trade to Denver so the between five and seven million a year seems more likely.
Another scenario that has been talked about is unloading Billups' contract back to Denver in exchange for Raymond Felton and Chandler. The salaries would match up, and the Nuggets love Billups. However, Denver does not want to pay $14 million to a backup point guard, since they have made it clear Ty Lawson is there starter.
While Chandler does not solve the issues at center, he would is a solid defender and a lethal weapon on the offensive end. The trade being discussed is a long shot, but it is still an option.
Chandler remains the main target for the Knicks though, and no matter how it plays out, it will be interesting to see how this all unfolds, as well as what other possible additions the Knicks are able to make before the start of next season.
No. 3: Does Donnie Walsh Have Full Autonomy Concerning Basketball Decisions?
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The recent news that Donnie Walsh was returning to the Knicks organization came as quite a relief to Knicks fans.
Walsh restored the franchise back to its prominent role as the mecca of basketball, and the choice to bring him back was an easy one.
However, you can bet that Walsh had his reserves about returning.
He definitely wants to finish what he started, but after Knicks owner James Dolan's involvement in the Carmelo Anthony negotiations, Walsh was undoubtedly concerned about the power he yielded in the basketball decision department.
When Walsh first signed on, Dolan assured him that he had full autonomy in that department. However, his actions during the Anthony saga proved otherwise. Walsh preferred to take the conservative approach while Dolan chose not to mask his eagerness to obtain the star forward.
In the recent meeting between Walsh and Dolan, it was probably reinforced that Walsh does in fact have full autonomy when it comes to basketball decisions. We will not find out the extent of that Walsh's power though until the next roster issue arrives.
Should the Knicks find a way to stockpile assets this offseason and Chris Paul or Dwight Howard become available on the trade market, Walsh's autonomy will be put to the test.
Will he be able to take the conservative approach he prefers during trade negotiations, or will Dolan intervene to do and give up whatever is necessary to get a deal done?
The Anthony negotiations may lead us to believe a similar outcome would prevail given such circumstances, but one cannot be sure until we cross that juncture.
Going forward, it will be interesting to see how much power, or rather veto-power, Walsh really has when it comes to basketball decisions.
No. 2: Are the Knicks Ready to Contend for an NBA Title?
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With a healthy Chauncey Billups, Amar'e Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony, many believe that this team is a contender.
There is definitely a case to be made for such an argument. All three players have the potential to average over 20 points a game and Billups is a renowned point guard who is capable of directing an offense with two players of Anthony's and Stoudemire's caliber in it.
Additionally, all three are experienced veterans. Both Stoudemire and Anthony have a fair amount of postseason experience, and Billups knows what it takes to win an NBA title. If these three can learn to play together effectively, the sky should be the limit.
But there are a few things that are cause for concern.
Aside from Stoudemire's and Billups' health issues, the Knicks, as we saw in their postseason matchup against the Celtics, lack depth.
Landry Fields and Toney Douglas are full of potential, but outside of those two, no one else on the roster screams impact player. Furthermore, aside from New York's "big three," the team is very inexperienced. The younger Knicks players got some burn this past postseason, but it may not be enough experience to carry them through the next.
Defense is also a huge issue for this team. They have the potential to play solid defense, but seem to lack the will to do so. And while their offense is explosive, they cannot rely solely on that to carry them to a championship.
Most of the concerns with this team stems from lack of chemistry, but the aforementioned issues are also of major importance.
As we transition into next season, it will be interesting to watch and see if these Knicks have what it takes to be legitimate title contenders.
No. 1: Will Chris Paul's Situation Become a Carmelo Anthony Like Distraction?
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Here is the question that everyone has been eagerly waiting for.
While Chris Paul will almost certainly not be in a Knicks uniform by the start of next season, he could prove to be vital to any success or failure New York experiences.
We all remember last summer when the Carmelo Anthony saga began, and we all remember what a distraction it was heading into the season.
Players like Danilo Gallinari and Wilson Chandler experienced some on the court struggles, a direct result of off the court rumors, and one must wonder whether a similar situation will ensure this year.
No one knows what the Hornets plans for Paul are. We do know that if he does go on the trading block, the Hornets will not be interested in anything the Knicks have to offer.
But that won't stop the speculation.
People will wonder if Paul will exert his leverage to force a trade to the Knicks or wonder if he will wait out the season to join the Knicks, or if he will just go to another team. Madness will ensue.
If the Knicks wind up fulfilling the recent chatter that has them pulling off a trade for Wilson Chandler and Raymond Felton in exchange for Billups and cash, it will only get worse. Such talks are not even premature, rather they are non-existant, but they are options. But if Chandler and Felton do return, many will wonder if it is play to re-stock assets in an attempt to obtain Paul.
The stage is set for another saga and it will be interesting to see how the Knicks handle it this time.
Will they struggle or will they shine in the face of adversity?
No one knows, making it the most key question facing the Knicks as they look ahead to next season.
